Fingered harmonicas

ABSTRACT

Improvements in design characteristics and control means for fingered harmonicas, particularly in the use of a plurality of simplified sets of parts which, in combination with valve control means, maintain keyboard alignment; and particularly in the shaping and positioning of the harmonica recess cover to permit production of a tremelo.

United States Patent 1 [111 3,868,881 Heath Mar. 4,1975

[ 4] FINGERED HARMONICAS 2,827,8l8 3/1958 Bibus 9,443 9197 H h 4 [76] Inventor: Oran M. Heath, 1410 Crescent 3 33mm" 6 eat Drive, Corpus Christi, 78412 Primary Examiner-Richard B. Wilkinson [72] No Assistant E.\al71iner.i0hn GOnzales [21] Appl. No.: 419,126

[57] ABSTRACT [52] U.S. Cl. 84/377 Improvements in design ch acte stics and control 1] Int. Cl. Gl0d 7/12 means for fingered harmonicas, Particularly in the use [58] Field of Search 84/377, 375, 378 Of a plurality of Simplified Sets of parts which, in

bination with valve control means, maintain keyboard [56] References Ci d alignment; and particularly in the shaping and posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tioning of the harmonica recess cover to permit production of a tremelo. 708,805 9/l902 Field et al 84/377 1 448 l84 3/1923 Bartolowsky 84/377 3 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures .1: FINGERED HARMONICAS My invention relates to Fingered Harmonicas. Reference is made to my US. Pats. No. 3,218,903 issued Nov. 23, 1965, and No. 3,339,443 issued Sept. 5, 1967. The basic objectives for Fingered Harmonicas are stated in those patents.

New objectives are as follows:

1. To provide improved means for keyboard control of internal valves opening upon mouthpiece holes of a recessed harmonica;

2. To provide improved guidance means for said valves.

3. To provide new means to restrict rotation of keyboard keys;

4. To provide means for producing a tremelo; and

5. To provide improved spring placement.

In accomplishing these and other objectives, my invention is not limited to the form or forms disclosed. Other objects will be detailed in the following description and specifications, and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a partially cut away side view of an instrument embodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the instrument shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a partially cut away sectional bottom plan view of FIG. 3.

In the drawings all identical parts are like-numbered. A number may indicate a single part or a set of parts of like structure and use. Valves may be referred to as valves or, more specifically, as Hole Stoppers.

In the following references, attention will be directed to designated FIGS., with better views of certain parts to be found in other Figures indicated parenthetically.

Referring to FIG. 3:

Harmonica l is recessed by insertion within the cavity provided in Case 2, and held securely by Top Cover 3, which is in turn held by removeable Bolts 4 (FIG. 1). Tightening said bolts holds Harmonica 1 against Gasket 5 in a leak-free manner. Gasket 6 limits air leakage between Top Cover 3 and Case 2. For each Harmonica Mouthpiece Hole 7 (FIG. 4) in Harmonica 1, there is a Hole Stopper 8, rigidly affixed to the lower end of a straight rigid Rod 9 or Rod 10 (FIG. 1), which rod passes slideably through Sleeve 11. Hole Stopper 8 is held against Gasket 12 by compression of Spring 13. Rigidly affixed to the upper end of each Rod 9 or Rod 10 (FIG. 1) is a Key 14 or an opposing Key 15. Such rigid fixation of Hole Stopper 8, Key 14, or Key 15 to Rod 9 or Rod 10 is obtained by plastic fillings in Indentations 16 or 17 adjacent each end of Rod 9 or Rod 10.

Referring to FIG. 4:

The free end of each Hole Stopper 8 is loosely entrenched within Notch 18 of Notched Bar 19. Gasket Hole 20 in Gasket 12 is positioned over Hole 21 in Case 2. The opposite side of Hole 21 is likewise covered by Gasket Hole 22 of opposing Gasket 5; and Hole 22, in turn. fits over Harmonica Mouthpiece Hole 7 of Harmonica 1.

Referring to FIG. 3:

The top of Body 23 is open, and formed to accept in loose-fitting manner that portion of recessed Case 2 which is below Collar 24. Base Plate 25 is a flat, thin metal plate, preferably of aluminum, which is sealed to the base of Body 23, preferably by Silicone Sealant 26. Insertion of fully assembled Case 2 and associated parts within recessed top of Body 23, and sealing in place,

preferably with Silicone Sealant, forms Air Chamber 27. Mouthpiece 28 (FIG. 1) is formed to provide a hollow tube venting Air Chamber 27. Opening 29 in Top Cover 3 vents Air Chamber 30 above Harmonica l. Sponge rubber gasket 31 holds Harmonica 1 against Gasket 5 by compression.

Referring to FIG. 4:

In its movement onto and away from Gasket 12, Hole Stopper 8 is guided by Notch 18 toward a covering position of Gasket Hole 20 in Gasket 12. The walls of Notch 18 in Notched Bar 19 restrict Hole Stopper 8 from rotating within the horizontal plane, and by rigid linkage through Rod 9 or Rod 10, restrict Key 14 and Key 15 (both FIG. 3) from such rotation. Rod 9 and Rod 10 are preferably cut from straight lengths of brass rod 3/32 inch in diameter and tooled to form Indentations 16 and 17 (FIG. 3) adjacent each end thereof. Knurling the ends of Rod 9 or Rod 10 will serve the same purpose as Indentations 16 and 17, but at greater expense. Rod 10 is preferably approximately l/8 inch longer than Rod 9, but is otherwise identical thereto.

The preferred harmonica for the instrument shown is a 12 hole solo-tuned harmonica covering 3 octaves of the diatonic scale. By design modifications, well within the scope of the principles and characteristics herein disclosed, other harmonicas may be made the bases of fingered harmonicas of differing musical potential.

In the instrument illustrated, which is preferred primarily by reason of its being most economical to produce in small quantities, the preferable method of production is by casting, and the preferred casting material is fiberglass resin with an additive to improve flexibility. A flexible mold of proper construction will permit casting of the entire Body 23, including a fully formed mouthpiece, as a unit.

For high volume production, the preferred method is by injection molding. Sleeve 11 is obviated; it being preferable to drill holes of comparable length. For high volume with less capital investment than required for injection molds, but producing a somewhat inferior product with higher labor costs per unit, vacuum molding is practicable. Sleeves 11 are required for instruments formed by vacuum forming molds.

The basic problem, better solved by these improvements, is the control of air leakage in a system which links internal valves to an external keyboard by means which must pass through the instrument body wall.

The control means disclosed herein is effective in holding air flow through the body wall to an insignificant level, while being otherwise of improved design.

The resistance to air flow about Rod 9 or Rod 10 is increased as Sleeve 11 '(or alternate drilled hole) is lengthened; otherfactors being equal. A sleeve length of 3/4 inch to 1 inch in length is preferred. A sleeve of this length suffers no significant wear, and holds the Hole Stopper-Rod-Key combination more accurately in position than would a shorter sleeve. Use of a light weight oil on the rods will complete the air seal.

Opening 29 and Mouthpiece 28 (both FIG. 2) are on opposite ends of the air flow path through the instrument. By manipulating external keys, the operator opens internal valves directing air in either direction through one or a number of harmonica mouthpiece holes, producing musical tones. By partially covering and uncovering opening 29 in a rythmic manner while sounding the instrument, the operator may vary the internal pressure and air flow, producing a tremelo.

Improved spring placement results from the placement illustrated, wherein Rod 9 and Rod 10 pass through the coils of Spring 13, and said spring is located between Key 14 or Key 15 and Collar 24.

I claim:

1. An air control system for a harmonica comprising a casing enclosing an air chamber; a harmonicaaccommodating recess formed in said casing; a ventilated recess cover; valves positioned to open and close the multiple mouthpiece holes of a recessed harmonica; valve control means for opening said valves comprising a plurality of rods slidably extending through holes formed in said casing; a plurality of coiled springs surroundings a portion of said rods and normally biasing said valves in a closed position, said valves being affixed at the ends of said rods within said air chamber and finger pads affixed on the opposite ends of said rods located outside of said casing; and valve guide means for maintaining the valves in correct alignment with the mouthpiece holes of a recessed harmonica comprising a notched bar secured in said air chamber adjacent said valves.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ventilated recess cover includes an opening formed therein which may be covered by the palm or fingers of the operator in order to produce a tremolo effect.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein sleeves are provided in said holes formed in the casing for slidably mounting said rods. 

1. An air control system for a harmonica comprising a casing enclosing an air chamber; a harmonica-accommodating recess formed in said casing; a ventilated recess cover; valves positioned to open and close the multiple mouthpiece holes of a recessed harmonica; valve control means for opening said valves comprising a plurality of rods slidably extending through holes formed in said casing; a plurality of coiled springs surroundings a portion of said rods and normally biasing said valves in a closed position, said valves being affixed at the ends of said rods within said air chamber and finger pads affixed on the opposite ends of said rods located outside of said casing; and valve guide means for maintaining the valves in correct alignment with the mouthpiece holes of a recessed harmonica comprising a notched bar secured in said air chamber adjacent said valves.
 2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ventilated recess cover includes an opening formed therein which may be covered by the palm or fingers of the operator in order to produce a tremelo effect.
 3. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein sleeves are provided in said holes formed in the casing for slidably mounting said rods. 